While lighter around the waist, the Golden State Warriors catalyst would like to be heavier in the wallet - and sooner rather than later. He technically has two years left on his contract, but he has a termination option for the 2008-09 season. He said he wants the matter cleared up before the start of training camp or else he plans to enter free agency next summer.</p> "There hasn't been too much talking. But in the next two weeks, I'm going to make a decision if I will re-sign or play the season out and be a free agent," he said.</p> This could all be posturing, of course, for Davis would be forfeiting a considerable chunk of change ($17.81 million) by opting out of his contract. This is not unlike the situation the Celtics faced last summer with Paul Pierce; they ended up giving him a max extension. One has to assume the Warriors are not so inclined, or something would have been done by now. Golden State is understandably concerned about Davis's durability; he has missed 47 games over the last two seasons with the Warriors and 130 over the last five with Golden State and the Hornets.</p> But Davis, who turned 28 last month, was indisputably the key player for the Warriors last season as they ended more than a decade of playoff drought - and then proceeded to shock the top-seeded Mavericks in the first round. Davis averaged 20.1 points and 8.1 assists in his first season under Don Nelson, who predicted Davis would have an All-Star year in his system. The playoffs were even better: 25.3 points a game.</p> <u><font color="#0000ff">http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/ar...n_on_extension/</font></u></p>
Now, this sounds greedy. Nelson's deal ain't nothing compared to players wanting max money and then wanting out when there's no salary room for GMs to manuever and they end up losing. The reason why I think teams like the Spurs and Pistons win is because their stars are not like this. What I worry about is Baron becoming a lot like Allen Iverson.
This sucks if i knew Baron was going to pull this, I would had rather trade him and keep J-Rich. At least J-Richwanted to stay here and as good as Baron was during the playoffs no way i give him the max since he never has played more thasn 61 games since 2001.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Duckmyster)</div><div class='quotemain'>This sucks if i knew Baron was going to pull this, I would had rather trade him and keep J-Rich. At least J-Richwanted to stay here and as good as Baron was during the playoffs no way i give him the max since he never has played more thasn 61 games since 2001.</div> </p> Yeah, in the last 3 years, he's played 66% of the regular season games he could have. So how about 66% of max? Maybe top if off to 75% considering his last post-season. Love Baron but if he's not happy it's going to get ugly fast and this franchise will crash and burn once again. They're kind of stuck in this limbo with Nelson's looming retirement (which could be any day) and Baron's health. I just hope those things don't screw us on the good foundation we have started to build with the young players.
Nellie came here and brought playoffs.</p> Baron was here and played of Nellies great coaching.</p> Huge difference.</p>
Yeah, guys, remember when Baron was a bit disliked here back in 2005-2006? Sure he was our best player, but he was taking all kinds of dumb shots and he wasn't as committed on defense and plus he missed all kinds of layups and shots he should have made. Plus, he was injured a lot back then. This season he probably wasn't even hurt that badly and decided to come back because we had a slim chance of making the playoffs last year versus no chance like back in 2005-2006. I don't want to be a "barely a playoff team" like last year. I know a lot of emphasis is put towards what the backcourt and the center/power forward position can do for the club. If the warriors are smart, they'll go and lock up any kind of franchise big man talent and get an above average backcourt to get them the ball. They don't need to have Baron Davis if he's going to act like this and play 2/3 of the season. The warriors do need to find a suitable replacement that can keep a Baron Davis type player in check such as Deron Williams or possibly a young Jason Kidd. Teams don't necessarily need to have a playmaking point guard to win, but enough combined playmaking from the backcourt, good on-ball defense, and enough go-to perimeter scoring would be necessary. Maybe we can start playing Pistons type ball.</p>
Its all about $$/business and we should not try to analyze it. Baron's threats are his only leverage, he's trying to use it to secure more $$ for himself. Otherwise, he's letting leverage slip away. If he wants to opt out, that's his right. I don't think the market is going to be huge for some oft-injured PG who's played less than 75% of the past 4 years asking for Max $$. Mully knows that and he's not biting. Mully has not shown to be some hard-ass (see Dunleavy/JRich/Murphy/Foyle Ks) and he'll do the right thing when the time comes.</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (philsmith75)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> Its all about $$/business and we should not try to analyze it. Baron's threats are his only leverage, he's trying to use it to secure more $$ for himself. Otherwise, he's letting leverage slip away. If he wants to opt out, that's his right. I don't think the market is going to be huge for some oft-injured PG who's played less than 75% of the past 4 years asking for Max $$. Mully knows that and he's not biting. Mully has not shown to be some hard-ass (see Dunleavy/JRich/Murphy/Foyle Ks) and he'll do the right thing when the time comes.</p> </div></p> I guess you're right, Phil, it's what pro athletes and their agents do. I guess I prefer the quiet type of professionals as opposed to the Kenyon Martin or Erick Dampier type whining about money and crap. I want to throw Baron Davis in that pile, but Baron does better things for a team and he's not so much a cancer as some might think (because of what happened in New Orleans).</p> </p>
If I was Mullin, I let Baron know that he was wanted and that he had a great year last year. Of course, he's our best player and key to our making the PLAYOFFS again. This year we want to go DEEP in the playoffs. Also, I'd let him know that I have to think about re-signing AB and Monta who are key players in their own right.</p> I wouldn't be worried about Baron opting out because he's got to perform again this year and stay healthy. I want him to come into camp in the best shape of his life again. I don't think getting him signed right now is of utmost importance, but would like to do it if the PRICE is RIGHT. I don't think Baron deserves max money based on his performance for the duration of his previous contract. He was injured too often and his best year was last year. I'd be willing to go max if he would take less years. It really depends on what Baron's willing to take.</p>
This has been a rough off-season for the Warriors, and I can only imagine the ulcers Cohen is developing with all the money demands directed at him. I don't think Baron Davis is foolish enough to opt out of his contract next season. There's no team who's going to pay him $17M plus for his services anymore. I can understand B Diddy wanting the security of an extension, but he needs to face the reality of the salary cap restrictions the Warriors are set to face.</p> I agree with Voorhees approach. Mullin needs to sit Baron down, explain how important and appreciative the Warriors are for what he's done for the franchise and drive home the point he wants Baron to win a title here. Now, in order to win a title Baron needs sign for a reasonable contract so the Warriors can afford to keep or acquire talent to make a title run.</p> I'd probably use Steve Nash as Exhibit A on the type of deal Baron Davis should consider signing for. The league MVP will be making $11.4M this season, $12.3M next year, and $13.1M in his final year.</p> What's funny is they get to do it all over again next summer with Beans and Monta.</p> </p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (shapecity)</div><div class='quotemain'> What's funny is they get to do it all over again next summer with Beans and Monta.</p> </p></div> </p> By the end of this season, we should know whether Monta is a keeper or not. I still have some doubts. Andris there is no question. Assuming he's not asking for ridiculous (top elite superstar) money, you have to find a way to sign him.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (HiRez)</div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (shapecity)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> What's funny is they get to do it all over again next summer with Beans and Monta.</p> </p> </div></p> </p> By the end of this season, we should know whether Monta is a keeper or not. I still have some doubts. Andris there is no question. Assuming he's not asking for ridiculous (top elite superstar) money, you have to find a way to sign him.</div></p> Letting Ellis go would be a huge mistake. Sacramento gave Kevin Martin a contract and I think he has more question marks than Ellis.</p> </p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (shapecity)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> This has been a rough off-season for the Warriors, and I can only imagine the ulcers Cohen is developing with all the money demands directed at him. I don't think Baron Davis is foolish enough to opt out of his contract next season. There's no team who's going to pay him $17M plus for his services anymore. I can understand B Diddy wanting the security of an extension, but he needs to face the reality of the salary cap restrictions the Warriors are set to face.</p> I agree with Voorhees approach. Mullin needs to sit Baron down, explain how important and appreciative the Warriors are for what he's done for the franchise and drive home the point he wants Baron to win a title here. Now, in order to win a title Baron needs sign for a reasonable contract so the Warriors can afford to keep or acquire talent to make a title run.</p> I'd probably use Steve Nash as Exhibit A on the type of deal Baron Davis should consider signing for. The league MVP will be making $11.4M this season, $12.3M next year, and $13.1M in his final year.</p> What's funny is they get to do it all over again next summer with Beans and Monta.</p> </p> </div></p> Plus, maybe Mullin needs to sit Baron down and explain to him that if we want to go deep in the playoffs, we need some size and size doesn't come cheap. It's a situation where any winning organization needs to have both a distributor to run the show and talented, athletic, fundamentally sound big men to control the paint on both ends of the floor. I think we can do that if there is salary room, but not if one point guard wants all the money for himself and we have nothing to keep Biedrins, plus a second good big man if we cave into Bdiddy's demands. To me Biedrins ain't franchise yet. He's the guy that you'd put next to a perennial 20/10 all-star. But we definitely want to keep Biedrins as the next best thing because he could very well be an all-star with the way most centers are these days. I almost think size is more important than the point guard because look at Tim Duncan or Shaq or Detroit. As long as the backcourt is solid in the 12-16ppg with 4 assists from each player type range, I could live without a Steve Nash or a Baron Davis. But that size in the paint is so important because they ultimately control the tempo when it matters.</p> </p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GM3)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> Letting Ellis go would be a huge mistake. Sacramento gave Kevin Martin a contract and I think he has more question marks than Ellis.</p> </div></p> I'd have to disagree on that one. Martin is a shooting guard who can hit from inside, mid range, and outside, and he's also got an actual shooting guard's body at six foot seven. Ellis at six foot three and already with a leery injury history... I'd take Martin over Ellis on any team except the Warriors.</p> </p>
